The router is being manufactured by network company TP-LINK, Google said. It’s making another big entrance with OnHub, a Wi-Fi router designed with both form and function in mind.
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Google has not revealed anything more, but assured its users that periodic security updates and features will be available for OnHub.
Google announced that it is introducing a Wi-Fi router, OnHub, that is focused on simplicity and connected homes. During setup, OnHub selects the settings that will work best for the home, then automatically adjusts if things change so the network is always performing at its best.
A statue of “Android Marshmallow”, at Google headquarters in California. It can tell you how much bandwidth your devices are using and let you run a network check.
Router manufacturers have made great strides when it comes to building faster and more powerful routers, but they’re still struggling to make these essential devices easy to install and maintain. The app is also where you will be able to determine what is slowing down your connection.
Although there are already a wide range of Wi-Fi router providers, it’s the hint of future products and services that could create headaches for some cable providers that also want to play in the same spaces.
“What Google is trying to do with this is put out a router that supports some of the IoT wireless standards it’s been working on, like Weave”, Moorhead said.
Smart devices – from heating and cooling system regulators to fire and security alarms – are a booming business. The company believes people who spend more time online are more likely to interact with a Google service and click on one of the ads that generate most of Google’s profits.
Google is pledging not to monitor any of the information transmitted over OnHub except for visits to its search engine or other services, such as YouTube or Gmail, with the user’s online privacy controls set to permit the data collection.
As attractive as OnHub’s features may be, consumers should exercise caution when considering opening their homes to Google, advised Tripwire’s Westin. The app shows how much bandwidth the devices are using and even allows home-owners to set a particular device to get the fastest speed.
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In the meantime, it is unclear whether Google will remain in-charge of OnHub or would it be sent it to another part of Alphabet, where an entirely different team will be leading development for the device. Interested buyers can preorder the router now, with retail availability in the US and Canada “in the coming weeks”.
